Elkhart Humane Society reacts to dog mauling

Society: No fee to put down vicious animal; no records it was contacted in case.

Society: No fee to put down vicious animal; no records it was contacted in case.

February 11, 2009|By TOM MOOR Tribune Staff Writer

ELKHART -- The Elkhart County Humane Society would have removed a vicious dog before it mauled its owner last week and put the animal down at no cost, an official said. Scott Sands, 47, was severely injured Feb. 3 when his pit bull mix attacked him at his home in the 2200 block of Pleasant Plain Avenue. One of Sands' arms might need to be amputated, according to his landlord. Sands' landlord, Margaret Delucenay, told The Tribune last week that Sands had called the Humane Society twice in January to take the dog away after he was bitten, but he said he could not afford the $50 fee to euthanize the dog that Delucenay said the agency was asking. However, Anne Reel, executive director of the Humane Society, said Tuesday there is no fee to put a dog down if that person "is afraid or the dog has bitten them," she said. Only in cases in which the person wants the dog put down for reasons other than it being vicious will the Humane Society ask for a $50 fee. South Bend Animal Care and Control manager Gary Libbey says the city has similar guidelines. Animal Control does not charge to put down a dog that is dangerous, he said. But if an owner requests for the dog to be euthanized and that dog has not bitten anyone, a $20 fee will be applied. "We won't charge because we don't want to leave a potential hazard in the city," Libbey said. Meanwhile, Reel said it's Indiana law that a dog bite report, which is free, be filed after any bite. Rachel Dennis, assistant director at the Humane Society, said they did not receive a bite report or a phone call from Sands before the most recent incident Feb. 3. The dog that attacked Sands will be put down this week, after authorities wait 10 days to check for rabies, according to state law. Neither Sands nor Delucenay was available for comment Tuesday. Staff writer Tom Moor: tmoor@sbtinfo.com (574) 247-7756